Why Did Solange Knowles Attack Jay Z?

The Solange Theories Keep Getting More Interesting

On Monday, a video showing Solange Knowles beating up Jay Z, her brother-in-law, in an elevator quickly went viral. Solange and Jay were joined in the elevator by Beyoncé and the couple's bodyguard, who had to physically restrain Solange at multiple points during their elevator ride. Since the video had no sound (it was taken from a security camera), there is little insight into what was said and why Beyoncé's sister reacted so violently. Of course, that hasn't stopped just about every person on the Internet from speculating about what went down. Theories range from Solange getting sparked by an argument with Rachel Roy to Solange acting out after Jay dissed her friends and tried to leave for a different afterparty without his wife. We've gathered up the top explanations below and decided which is most likely the closest we'll ever get to the truth.

Solange Is Just Prone to Outbursts

According to Us Weekly, Jay Z's and Beyoncé's calm demeanors during Solange's outburst were because they are used to her violent reactions. "Solange has flipped her lid like that before," a source said. "She is genuinely a sweet and nice person, but she also keeps sh*t real. She can take a small thing, and it triggers her." The source added, "That's why Bey and Jay were so calm. They are used to this from Solange. It has definitely happened before." There's still no word on what set Solange off, but it sounds like the insider was setting it up as an overreaction on Solange's part.

If Solange's temporary temper tantrum is to blame, it might explain why the day after the Met Gala, she was all smiles when she attended a party for artist Kara Walker in Brooklyn.

Solange Was Mad That Jay Hasn't Boosted Her Career

While Solange isn't a household name like her sister, she has made a name for herself as an indie artist. However, according to one report, Solange wanted to break into the mainstream and asked Jay to help her jump-start her career. Apparently, she flipped at the Met Gala when she asked Jay to help her write songs and he told her that he didn't have enough time.

Solange Has Long-Standing Issues With Jay Z

Although Jay is married to Beyoncé, there are reports that the two have a somewhat testy relationship. Back in 2008, Solange snapped at a reporter who asked her about Jay's 40/40 Club in NYC. She said, "Please don't tie me in to family and my brother-in-law's establishment." The two also rarely pose for photos together despite attending many of the same events, including Coachella back in April. Solange and Jay didn't pose for snaps while inside the Met Gala, with Beyoncé reportedly staying close to Solange during the event and Jay choosing to hang out with his friend Kanye West and Vogue's Anna Wintour.

Jay Said Something Inappropriate to the Sisters

According to one report, Jay allegedly said something "inappropriate" to both Beyoncé and Solange, which set Solange off. The source said, "When they got in the elevator, it escalated quickly, the way family tensions can. It got exceptionally heated, the way family moments can." They added that Solange is protective of Beyoncé. This might explain why Bey didn't appear to initially defend Jay during the altercation.

Solange Was Mad at Rachel Roy

While at the Met Gala's afterparty in The Standard Hotel, Solange reportedly yelled at her onetime friend Rachel Roy and a group of people. According to another source, Rachel "provoked" Solange in some way. According to a separate report, Solange was mad that Rachel had been getting too close for comfort to Jay at the party. "Rachel is a little too close to Jay Z," a source said. "Solange doesn't like it, and Beyoncé doesn't like it." Solange lashed out at Rachel, who, in turn, reportedly lashed right back. Beyoncé and Jay had to break up the fight and then abruptly left, heading for that now-infamous elevator.

Jay Wanted to Head to Rihanna's Afterparty

The New York Daily News reports that the fight started when a few of Solange's "not famous" friends tried to use Jay's name to get into the Met Gala afterparty at The Standard, despite not being dressed appropriately. Apparently, the group was causing a scene at the door, which prompted the hotel's security to contact the couple's bodyguard. Jay was upset that Solange's friends were dropping his name, at which point the "drunk and irritated" Solange said she wanted to leave. As the group headed out, Jay said he was heading to Rihanna's private afterparty without Beyoncé, which set Solange off on a tirade against Jay for going out without his wife. Jay snapped back, "You're one to talk," which sparked Solange's violent rage.

So, Which Theory Is Probably True?

If we had to guess, probably a combination of the Rachel Roy theory, the party-crashing friends, and Rihanna's afterparty. Jay's response to Solange's friends may have set a sour mood on the afterparty, which may have led Solange to lash out at Rachel, a story that has been reported by multiple sources. A source also said that Solange's anger was sparked when Jay said he was going to Rihanna's party because she thought Rachel would be there. If Solange was already irritated about Jay's relationship with Rachel, it would explain why Rihanna's party would set her off.

There's another clue: on Wednesday morning, Beyoncé flooded her Instagram account with pictures of Solange, a sign that many took to be a show of support for the superstar's younger sister. Tellingly, after sharing so much of Solange, Beyoncé shared a snap of herself at the Met Gala with Rihanna. Since it came after the Solange flood, this may have been Beyoncé's way of saying she's still on good terms with Rihanna, despite the argument that popped up as a result of Jay heading to her bash solo. Since Rihanna's Instagram account is still deactivated (come on, Instagram!), there was no response from the outspoken singer on her notorious social media account. All this leads us to believe that the fight probably had something to do with Jay going to Rihanna's afterparty but had nothing to do with Rihanna herself. Tellingly, Beyoncé has not posted any photos of Rachel.

And Then There Are Twitter's Thoughts . . .

Digs on Solange Not Being as Famous as Beyoncé

She said, "This elevator is going nowhere" and he said, "Just like your career." AND THE FIGHT WAS ON! #WhatJayZSaidToSolange

yep your right its not our business but i was just saying...They had to deal with it NOT us but let take a walk in there shoes for a minute or two what if it was us and not them...we wouldn't want anyone in ours, right?! But at the end of the day it really didnt matter cause they took care of it and IT OVER AND DONE WITH!!

45 weeks

Jay -Z to Solange "Alright now white girl"

45 weeks

It might not be our business but it was put out there for the world to see so you know people are going to comment. So what they should do is hold a press conference an clear this mess up If there was nothing to it.

45 weeks

although it's been made public, in all honesty, it's none of our damn business why this happened.

Nobody and i mean nobody know what happen Anything coulda happened in the altercation between Jay-Z and Solange. And What I think its none of y'all business what happened. What people can't fight these days. Look y'all nosy MFERs we will never know what happend at the end of the day they have to deal with it not US so GET OFF THERE JOCKS